2004
Searsmont Community Center / Solo Exhibit
Searsmont ME
"Staying The Course" was exhibited at the Searsmont Community Center’s Town Library just in time for the 2004 fall election season. On exhibit were ten coffin shaped canvases papered with cancelled checks, ink drawings and oddly shaped clear molded plastic from discarded packaging. The exhibition titled “Staying the Course” was intended to cut a deep cynical edge against the current state of affairs in America’s foreign actions. At the heart of this work is the format of the coffin shape. It is a symbolic form that is always kept from public view in times of conflict. Not acknowledging the reality of war in a public fashion allows us to continue waging war.
Among the scenes and imagery depicted in this work are clown like characters being dunked, figures catching bullets in their teeth and falling bombs, with various other figures attempting to catch some of these falling bombs. Lyrics from Tony Orlando’s 1973 hit song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” festoon one canvas, while an excerpt from the local editorial page is highlighted on another. All of this is rendered with a very loose, inky and edgy drawing style, ultimately creating a visual cacophony that is both absurd and chaotic.
Searsmont ME
"Staying The Course" was exhibited at the Searsmont Community Center’s Town Library just in time for the 2004 fall election season. On exhibit were ten coffin shaped canvases papered with cancelled checks, ink drawings and oddly shaped clear molded plastic from discarded packaging. The exhibition titled “Staying the Course” was intended to cut a deep cynical edge against the current state of affairs in America’s foreign actions. At the heart of this work is the format of the coffin shape. It is a symbolic form that is always kept from public view in times of conflict. Not acknowledging the reality of war in a public fashion allows us to continue waging war.
Among the scenes and imagery depicted in this work are clown like characters being dunked, figures catching bullets in their teeth and falling bombs, with various other figures attempting to catch some of these falling bombs. Lyrics from Tony Orlando’s 1973 hit song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” festoon one canvas, while an excerpt from the local editorial page is highlighted on another. All of this is rendered with a very loose, inky and edgy drawing style, ultimately creating a visual cacophony that is both absurd and chaotic.
